Oral history interview with Ella B. Howard Pearis

Ella Howard Pearis, an African American woman born in 1901, discusses her family history, tracing back to her great-grandparents who were some of the first residents in the newly established Barry Farms. She talks about the house her grandfather built on Elvan's Road prior to 1877 that Pearis still resided in with her son and grandson; about how her paternal great-grandfather, James Thomas Howard was a minister and the first president of Barry Farms Civic Association; about her maternal great-grandfather worked for Larz Anderson; and about her family purchasing many shares of PEPCO stock. Pearis also includes information about other prominent Anacostia residents, such as James Banks (banker), Emma Smith (schoolteacher), and Dr. Georgiana Simpson (Howard University professor). Pearis describes the changes in the Anacostia around the 1940s and 1950s, including the construction of public housing and schools, integrating of the different neighborhoods, and the migration of Anacostia residents to the other side of the river. She recalls Dr. Shipley's Pharmacy and Silas' Barbershop as well as St. Elizabeth's and Douglass Hall. She continues to explain her mother's side of the family and their involvement in the community. She briefly speaks about her father who was a piano player. She discusses the Barry Farms Civic Association, the Barry Farms Recreation Center, Miner's Normal Teaching School, and Dunbar High School. Pearis ends the interview talking more about Anacostia history and many of its prominent residents. Ella Pearis was interviewed by John Tetrault. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part.